Saigon punk band Stray Station are back from hiatus with new single “Don’t Think,” and they’ve made their return with the same no-fuss approach as their last release. The sound has shifted toward slower, weightier punk territory, but the band’s raw energy and directness remain completely intact.
NO COVER Vol. 21 at Mooney’s Bar traded a laid-back weekend for serious musical weight. Moving from The Mighty Mèo’s acoustic command and Fall of Stardust’s technical reggae, to Nghệ’s nostalgic indie and Chippunks’ cramped-room energy, the annual staple offered a solid reminder of the local’s roster’s depth
Three bands, one night, and a venue with something to prove. EXTREME QUẬT KHỞI brought Die So Far, THÁNH DỰC, và KINH to 219 Jam Club for a declaration of intent: a tight, ferocious evening that announced a new space on Saigon’s heavy music map.
iIrihi’s First Showcase felt less like a formal performance and more like a gathering of friends. With a thoughtful setlist, a room full of devoted listeners, and a growing catalogue of new material, the band offered a quiet but confident hello to the scene.
Saigon beatdown outfit Empathize link up with American rapper Mikey Rotten on their punishing new single “31 Types of Torture,” a relentless collision of hardcore aggression and sludge-heavy hip-hop that cements Vietnam’s underground as a serious international force.
Five original bands. A jury of international producers. Six guaranteed paid gigs on the line. Blue Monkey is building something Saigon’s underground music scene has needed for a long time — and it starts April 3rd.
